How do you load custom UITableViewCells from Xib files?

Question

The question is simple: How do you load custom UITableViewCell from Xib files? Doing so allows you to use Interface Builder to design your cells. The answer app

Answer 1

Here is a universal approach for registering cells in UITableView:

protocol Reusable {
    static var reuseID: String { get }
}

extension Reusable {
    static var reuseID: String {
        return String(describing: self)
    }
}

extension UITableViewCell: Reusable { }

extension UITableView {

func register(cellClass: T.Type = T.self) {
    let bundle = Bundle(for: cellClass.self)
    if bundle.path(forResource: cellClass.reuseID, ofType: "nib") != nil {
        let nib = UINib(nibName: cellClass.reuseID, bundle: bundle)
        register(nib, forCellReuseIdentifier: cellClass.reuseID)
    } else {
        register(cellClass.self, forCellReuseIdentifier: cellClass.reuseID)
    }
}

Explanation:

1. Reusable protocol generates cell ID from its class name. Make sure you follow the convention: cell ID == class name == nib name.
2. UITableViewCell conforms to Reusable protocol.
3. UITableView extension abstracts away the difference in registering cells via nib or class.

Usage example:

override func viewDidLoad() {
    super.viewDidLoad()
    let tableView = UITableView()
    let cellClasses: [UITableViewCell.Type] = [PostCell.self, ProfileCell.self, CommentCell.self]
    cellClasses.forEach(tableView.register)
}

override func tableView(_ tableView: UITableView, cellForRowAt indexPath: IndexPath) -> UITableViewCell {
    let cell = tableView.dequeueReusableCell(withIdentifier: PostCell.self.reuseID) as? PostCell
    ...
    return cell
}